Posted on Monday, May 01, 2017

After spending five years on Japanese studies, the desire to visit the country you have learnt about for so long, is natural. I found an opportunity to fulfil it through the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) programme started 30 years ago. The JET brings young people from selected countries to Japan for cultural exchanges with locals, to provide foreign language instruction in schools, or to work in local government offices.

Through the JET, assistant language teachers (ALTs), co-ordinators for international relations (CIRs) and sports exchange advisors (SEAs) are recruited overseas. They are dispatched to local public bodies across the country in an effort to foster a better understanding of foreign cultures. This also gives participants a chance to learn more about the host nation. Since a few people from Jawaharlal Nehru University (where I was a student) had been JETs, I was aware of the programme. In 2007, the authorities wanted six ALTs from India. The announcement was posted on a bulletin board on campus. JET came my way when I was completing my Master’s degree, hence I filled the application. I was among the shortlisted candidates called for an interview.

To be an ALT, you must have at least an undergraduate degree. Teaching experience might help. If you know some Japanese language and are aware of the Japanese mindset and culture, it is easy to work with the main English teacher there. But apart from these, you should be enthusiastic about teaching students in Japan. Some kind of English certification such as the CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), TEFL, TOEFL or IELTS is desirable.

I was assigned to a high school which worked in three shifts. I found the system unique. There was no school uniform. Students, aged 16 to 65 years, would work part time. Some were physically challenged. Japanese students by and large are hard-working, dexterous and meticulous. However, there were several who were not so motivated to learning English. In Japan, lessons for high school students were based on activities, a quiz and a reward system.

Teaching in Japan gave me a dual advantage. While learning about teaching techniques, I also honed my Japanese language skills and gained an idea of the general Japanese psyche. I acquired hands-on experience of what I had studied theoretically.

I stayed in the teachers’ accommodation, Jutaku, near the school. It was a two-bedroom, fully furnished flat. I paid for it, but it was subsidised. The railway station, bus stop, 7/11 convenience store and departmental store were close by.

It is a well-paid job. As a JET participant, you are enrolled in the mandatory National Health Insurance Programme (which covers 70% of your medical expenses), accident insurance and employment insurance without paperwork.

In the case of the ALT, the Japanese teacher, school supervisor (tantousha), vice-principal and principal -- all are there to help you with anything.

In monthly seminars, you can meet all other JET participants and discuss your problems or upcoming events and seek help with lesson plans, etc. Participants can also enrol in the beginner/intermediate Japanese language course as well as in translation and interpretation courses free of charge. This can be beneficial when you return home after five years and want to pursue another job. A JET Alumni Association (JETAA), which exists in about 18 countries, may be of help in finding work later. (We did not have a JETAA chapter in India, so I set up one in 2012.)

The opportunities can range from teaching in a school to working as a corporate trainer, freelance translator-interpreter or joining Japanese companies, the Japanese embassy and consulates or setting up your language school, among other options. If you have completed additional courses in subjects such as computers or management apart from learning Japanese, the options expand. All the metro cities as well as Pune and Hyderabad have become major centres of Japanese language education in India. Three sister cities were declared between Japan and India. Many infrastructure projects have been announced between both the governments. In India, there are hundreds of Japanese companies that would prefer employees familiar with Japanese language and culture.